Firing Stages

During the initial heating, the glass is very brittle and susceptible to breaking (thermal shock) if it’s heated up too quickly. During this stage, it’s best to take a conservative approach and slowly heat up the glass. At the end of this range, it’s a good idea to add a heat soaking period to allow the project to equalize to the same temperature throughout. Never peek in the kiln during this stage, or you risk thermal shock breakage.

Process Heating (1200°F to 1500°F range)

The glass becomes softer and more fluid. During the process heating stage, the glass can be fired more quickly to the target temperature and 32 soaked only long enough to achieve the desired look. It’s important not to hold the project at these temperatures for a long period of time, or you run the risk of devitrification (a visible clouding of the glass surface due to crystallization).

Fast Cooling (1500°F to 1100°F range)

After the finished look has been achieved, it’s important to cool the inside of the kiln and the glass as quickly as possible to stop the firing action so that it “freezes”. During the fast cooling stage, the surface of the glass is cooler and it has contracted more than the heated center which remains expanded, thus introducing stress into the glass piece.

Annealing (1100°F to 700°F range)

At the beginning of the annealing stage, it’s necessary toheat soak the glass for an extended period of time to allow the glass to equalize in temperature throughout and release the stress that’s in the glass. This makes the glass more stable. Then the glass is slowly cooled through the annealing temperature range to better ensure the glass piece is free of internal stresses and is physically stronger. NEVER OPEN THE KILN DURING THIS STAGE! I repeat... NEVER OPEN THE KILN DURING THIS STAGE!

Cooling to Room Temperature (700°F to room temperature range)

After the glass temperature has cooled below the annealing temperature zone, the kiln can be turned off to allow it to cool at it’s own pace to around 150°F – 200°F. Again, to avoid thermal shock, do not open the kiln until it has cooled down to at least 200°F. Even at this temperature, the glass is very hot, so do not attempt to pick it up in your bare hands. Simply open up the lid of your kiln and allow the glass and the kiln shelf to cool down to room temperature.